Snowplow



June 6, 1944. E. L wlEDMAN v SNOWPLOW Filed Maron 12, l1941 'l' sheets-sheet s June 6, 1944. E. l.. WIEDMAN .Y y

' SNOW PLOW Filed March 12, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 6, 1944. E, l.. WIEDMAN 2,350,437

SNOW PLOW Filed March 12, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SNOWPLOW Edward L. Wicdman, Tonawanda, N. Y. Application March 12, 1941, Serial No. 382,909

17 Claims.

My invention relates to a snow plow and scraper, and more particularly one adapted for attachment to a passenger automobile, light truck, delivery automobile, or similar self-propelled Vehicle.

The primary object of my invention is to construct a snow plow which can be easily attached to a suitable self-propelled vehicle and be braced and anchored by improved means so that the strain applied thereto will be transferred directly to the frame or chassis of the vehicle and thus avoid placing strains or stresses upon any of the operating parts of the vehicle.

It also has for its object to construct a plow which can be easily converted into a scraper for leveling uneven surfaces and for scraping snow and loose ice particles from skating ponds.

Another object of my invention is to provide a plow which can be conveniently knockeddown or collapsed so that when not in use it can be placed in the trunk section of an automobile or otherwise stored away for future use in compact form.

Another object of my invention is to provide a strong light-weight, yet rigidly applied plow to a self-propelled vehicle in a manner that will in no way necessitate remodeling the vehicle to which it is to be attachedy nor to in any manner alter any part of the Vehicle.

The invention has for a further object to provide an improved plow for private use which can be easily attached to and be as readily removed from an ordinary family automobile without in any manner placing the body of the automobile or other parts of the automobile mounted on or supported by its chassis, under strain during the operation of plowing from any area, such as a driveway, the area leading to or surrounding a service station, or for disposing of snowbanks or drifts.

A still further object is to provide a device for this purpose which is adjustable to four positions so that snow may be directed to the right, to the left, both to the right and the left, or straight ahead.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow.

Having in mind the Various objects herein set out, the invention consists in the novel arrangement, and in the combination of parts to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the major porlll tion of a passenger automobile having my improved plow attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the plow, showing the same attached to the side members of the chassis of an automobile, also shown in side elevation, the body and wheels of the automobile being shown in dotted lines to illustrate the co-relationship of the various parts.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the chassis of an automobile and of the plow, showing the manner of connecting and bracing the latter to the chassis; the wheels of the automobile being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the plow on a somewhat larger scale than Figs. 1 to 3, showing the rear portions of the reaches or anchor rods broken away and showing also the iront bumper and extreme front ends of the side members of the chassis, the plow-share or plow proper being adjusted for directing snow both to the right and left.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken on line 6 6, Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

- Fig. 'l is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the plow-share adjusted to direct snow laterally in one direction.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the plow on a somewhat larger scale than shown in the previous gures of the drawings, one of the side members of the chassis of an automobile being shown in side elevation and the front bumper in cross section to better illustrate the manner of attaching and bracing or anchoring the plow; the plow-share or plow proper being shown adjusted for use to push snow straight ahead or as a scraper.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the plow as shown in Fig. 8, a trifle more than one-half the width being shown.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the rear or attaching-end of one of the reaches or anchorrods, the connector for the same, and a portion of one of the side member of the chassis of the automobile to which said connector is secured.

Fig. 11 is a detached perspective view of the plow frame and its attached reach device.

Fig. 12 is a detached perspective View of one of the diagonal braces for maintaining the reaches or anchor-rods in proper relation to the uprights of the plow frame.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross section taken on line |3-|3, Fig. 9.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line |4-|4, Fig. 15.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line |5-|5, Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Fig. 16 is a side view of one of the unconnected uprights of the plow-frame andthe attached reach or anchor bar in folded condition.

Fig. 17 is a perspective View of the lower portion of one of the uprights of theplow-frame.

Fig. 18 is a, perspective view of the upper portion of oneof the uprights of the plow-frame.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged cross section taken on line |9-|9, Fig. 11.

Fig. 20 is a detached perspective view of one of the bumper anchor-hooks or hangers whereby the front end of the plow-frame is supported from the bumper of thek automobile, preferably while inactively transporting the 'vehicleattached plow.

Figs. 21 andv 22 are reversed perspective views, respectively, of the plow-share or plow proper, shown in theform of a scraper, Fig. 22 showing the. plow sharev reinforced as a modification.

Fig. 23 isa cross section of the lower end of the plow-share, modified in construction.

Fig.'24 is a similar section showing a rubber scraper attached to the plow-share.

Fig. 25 is a detached perspective view of a portion of said rubber scraper.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of one of the uprights of the plow-frame and its associated reach organchor b ar, in modified form.A

Fig` 27.is a still further modification of the same. y K l Fig. 28 is a plan view 'of the plow-frame s-howv space elsewhere.

ingv the Vsame equipped with a bracing device to Y prevent lateral flexing under heavy strain, such as may be encountered by using the plow in public service, for instance when engaged in street work. v

Fig. 29is an enlarged plan View of the eccentric means of attaching the front ends of the brace-rods to the reaches or anchor-rods of the plow-frame. Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section taken on line 30-30, Fig. 29, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line. v

Fig. 31 is a front elevation of the plow-frame attached'to a bumper by its regular or preferred support.

Having reference to the drawings in detail, the letter A designates an automobile to which my improved plow is shown attached. B is the chassis of the automobile having the two side membersb braced, trussed, or otherwise ccnnectedtogether'inV the usual manner to maintain their spaced relationship; and C is the front bumper of the automobile which isxedly attached to the front ends of the side members b of the chassis so that shocks and strains applied to the bumper will be transferred directly to the chassis of the automobile'without imparting such strains or shocks to other portions of the automobile, particularly the operating mechanism thereof. In its broadest aspect, this bumper may be considered as part of the automobile chassis.

35 designates my improved plow, or scraper as it maybe termed when used under a certain adjustment. This plow, in preferred form, comprises a two-part plow share 36, a plow frame 3l hung from or supportedby the front bumper C of the automobile, and a reach device, or a reach frame as used in some instances, designated by the numeral 38. The plow frame is disposed transversely in front of the automobile and comprises two uprights or vertical members 39 spaced apart a considerable distance and detachably connected at the top by a cross member 40 and at the bottom by a cross member 4|, the detachable connection being provided to permit of knocking down the plow frame so that it may be placed in the trunk or body of the automobile or storedV in a comparatively small The uprights 39 may be of any suitable material, but I prefer to employ angle irons, and preferably weld in the angles thereof and at their upper ends solid blocks 42 from f each of which projects a screw-stud 43 turned thereon, threaded thereinto, or otherwise fashioned on or applied to said blocks. These blocks are preferably flush with the upper ends of the uprights, and the Vscrew-studs consequently project upwardly from these uprights. The cross member 4011s also preferably constructed of angle iron, and has one web or flangev 44 thereof bearing against the upper ends ofthe uprights and the blocks 42 welded or otherwise fastened thereto, and its other web 45 in contact with the front surfaces of the uprights.V This cross member 40 has openings formed therein near opposite ends through which the studs 43 project, and nuts 56, preferably hand nuts, are threaded onto said studs to securely but detachably fasten the upper cross member to said uprights, with portions of the plow share 36 fastened in place simultaneously therewith, as will be hereinafter described. On the front faces of these uprights, near their lower ends, supporting brackets 4l are welded or otherwise fastened. rIhese brackets are angular to provide forwardlyprojecting shelf portions, from each of which an 'opstanding stud 48 projects. On the forwardlyprojecting shelf portions of these brackets 41, ythe lower cross member 4| rests. The inner or rear surface of the depending web or flange 49 of this cross member bears against the front edges of the shelf portions of said brackets. This cross member has openings formedin its other or horizontal web or flange 5|) near opposite ends through which the studs 48 project. If desired, these studs 48 may be in the form of screw-studs, similar to the screw-studs 43 passing through the `opposite ends of the upper cross member 4|), and vnuts may be applied thereto to fasten the lower cross member to the brackets 4l. Such fastening, however, is not found necessary under one form of my invention. In either event, the lower ends of the uprights 39 will be maintained in spaced relation.

The reach device, in preferred form, comprises two longitudinally disposed bars 5| fastened at their front ends to the lower ends of the uprights 39 of the plow frame, and at their rear ends, to the side members of the chassis some distance in rear of their front ends. For this purpose these bars, which may be termed reaches or anchor bars, are provided with hooks 52 at their rear ends, which may be welded or otherwise fastened thereto and hooked through an opening 53 formed in brackets 54 fastened to the side members of the chassis. Each of these brackets is substantially U-shaped through the greater portion of its length and straddles one of the flanges of a side member b of the chassis, the lower flange being easily accessibleA for this purpose. This bracket is fastened by means of bolts 55 passed through a portion of the bracket and arranged to impinge against the underside of said flange. In this manner the lower end of theplow frame is stabilized and properly braced to resist all strain applied thereto.

I prefer to construct the reaches or anchor bars in two sections, designated 56, 51, pref-` erably as shown in Figs. 11 and 16, and these I hinge together at their meeting ends and also pivotally connect the front ends of the forward sections 5B to the lower ends of the uprights 39 of the plow frame.

Inorder to pivotally connect the two sections of each rea-ch or anchor bar together, I weld or otherwise fasten a lug 58 to the underside of the front section 56 at its rear end, as best shown in Figs. 16 and 19, and form a bolt hole 59 through said lug. I also weld an elongated connector-member 60 to the adjacent end of the section 51. This connector-member is U-shaped in cross section and normally straddles both the rear end of the front section 56 and the front end of the rear section 51 to which it is fastened. Through bolt holes in the sides of this connector member and the bolt hole 59 in the lug 58, a pivot bolt 6| is secured. This permits the front and rear sections of the reaches or anchor bars to be folded, as shown in Fig. 16, so that they are approximately one-half their normal length. For the purpose of pivoting the front sections 56 of these reaches or anchor bars to the uprights 39 of the plow frame, I weld or otherwise secure lugs 62 to the upper surfaces of said reaches or bars at their front ends. The said front ends and the lugs thereon normally t into the angles of said uprights and between the side webs or flanges 63 of the latter and reinforcing pieces 64 welded to the inner edges of the front webs or flanges 65 of the said uprights. These lugs 62 have pin holes therethrough which register with pin holes in said side webs or flanges 63 of said uprights 39 and pin holes in said reinforcing pieces, through al1 of which 4pivot pins 66 are passed. Thus the uprights and the front ends of the reaches or anchor bars 5| are hinged together so as to permit said uprights to be folded on the folded or collapsed reaches or anchor bars, as shown in Fig. 16.

vOther lugs 61 are welded or otherwise fastened to the upper sides of the front sections of the reaches or anchor bars 5| a short distance in reary of their front ends, and to these are pivotally connected brace props 68 which extend forwardly and upwardly from their hinged connection to said lugs and engage the uprights 39. For this purpose and with a view of preventing accidental disengagement of said brace props from the uprights, I weld triangular abutments 69 to the front webs or flanges 65 of said uprights to be engaged by the free ends of said brace props. These abutments have ribs 10 at their upper ends, underneath which said free ends are positioned. Thus the uprights are firmly retained in a position at right angles to the front sections of the reaches or anchor bars.

The plow frame 31 and the front ends of the reaches or anchor bars are fastened to the front en d of the automobile in any approved manner, but preferably by suspending it from the front bumper C. For this purpose, the bumper is preferably provided with a large eye |53 to which are fastened the inner ends of two laterally directed chains |54, the upper ends of which are fastened in any one of a series of openings |55 in the uprights of the plow frame. These chains prevent I'lateral movement of the plow frame and consequently the plow attached thereto with respect to the automobile to which said plow frame is secured. A supporting chain |56 is employed in the manner shown in Fig. 31. The upper end of this supporting chain is fastened to the eye |53 of the automobile while the lower end is secured to the lower cross bar dl of the plow frame. In this manner the plow frame is properly supported from the bumper C of the automobile, and in order to position the plow supported by said frame in proper relation to the surface being cleared of snow, I form this supporting chain |56 in two sections, the lower end of the upper section |59 being provided with a screw |60 and the lower section |6| having its upper end provided with a screw |62. These screws are oppositely threaded and are entered into opposite ends of a turn buckle or clevice |63 so as to enable the supporting chain to be lengthened' or shortened, as required. This chain support is preferably employed when the plow is set into action.

When, however, the plow is to be moved from one place to another, such as for instance while moving the automobile from the garage to the location where snow is to be cleared away, I may prefer to use hooks 1| which engage the upper edge of the automobile and are secured to the uprights 39 of the plow frame. Provision is made for adjustably connecting the hooks to the side webs or flanges 63 of the uprights, each of which has a vertical series of openings 12 therein to receive an angular threaded portion 13 at the lower end of each hook, this angular portion being entered through any of the desired openings 12 by manually lifting the plow frame with its attached plow so that both are elevated to clear the snow upon the ground. Each hook is then retained in position by threading a thumb nut 14 onto its threaded portion 13 so that it bears firmly against the side face of the upright to whichA itis secured. When the.

plow frame and its attached plow share is elevated by engaging the hooks 1| with the bumper, the supporting chain |56 becomes slackened and the entire weight of the plow share is carried by these hooks.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the chain support is omitted, for the sake of clearness so as to better illustrate the manner in which the plow frame and its attached plow share are retained in any desired elevated position, or it may be so used in connection with the hooks that it is only applied when the plow share is to operate in clearing away snow. By using a supporting chain, such as described, it is possible to obtain a very close adjustment of the plow share with respect to the surface to be cleared, and this is of particular advantage when utilizing a plow for scraping skating ponds. When, however, a close adjustment of the plow share is not required, the hooks 1| may be used as the support for'the plow frame and its attached share, and by fastening these hooks in the required openings 12, a fairly close adjustment of the plow share to the surface to be cleared may be had, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. In that case, the unthreaded studs 58a may be employed instead of the screw-studs 48.

It will therefore be-apparent that the chain support shown in Fig. 31 is the preferred support for carrying the plow share and plow frame, and that it may be adjusted to position the plow share with respect to the surface to be cleared, as required. It is also to Vbe understood that alopenings 12 in the uprightsof thek plow ,framev so as to position the plow share the desired distance from the road surface. Due, however, to the need of spacing the openings, the adjustmentV ofthe plow share cannot be as nicely controlled.

For this reason I utilizethe chainsupportshown in Fig. 31 as the support for the plow share when. thelatter is in operating or active position to Vclear away snow, and use the hooks 1i in connection therewith for the purpose of elevating the plow share so that the automobile to which it is attached can be moved fromv one place to another without placing: the plow shar in action. l

In the drawings I have shown the undersides of the brackets 61 provided with rollers 15 which travel in contact with the surface over whichthe plow is passed, and these rollers aid the suspension hooks in maintaining the plow frame at the proper elevation.` These may, however, be omitted, as shown in Figs.- 11, 26 and 27. r

The plow share is preferably formed in two sections 16, 11, and each section is constructed of a sheet of metal of suitable gauge which is straight-lined, or slightly downwardly curved,

from its upper end, and near its lower end has a decided forwardly-curved portion 18 which materially adds to the rigidity of the plow share. From the front edge of this curved portion the metal is bent rearwardly, as at 19, thence, upwardly and rearwardly as at 88 to form a supporting shelf for the plow share. The supporting shelf 88 thus formed on each section materially stiffens the plow share and permits the use of comparatively thin light-weight material, and the shelf 8l) is provided with rearwardlyextending lugs 8|vin line with the uprights 39 of the plow frame. Welded kor otherwise fastened to the upper side of this shelf and to the rear of the` body portionlof the plow share are angular reinforcements 82 fashioned at the rear to conform to the shape of the lugs 8l which they overlie. Through each of said lugs 8| and the angular reinforcement 82 associated therewith, stud holes 83 are kformed which are to receive the studs 48 extending upwardly from the brackets 41 fastened to the front of the uprights 39'.V Each of the sections also has a rearwardlyextending ange 84 at its upper end which rests against the upper side of theY web or iiange 44 of the upper cross member forming part of the plow frame. For this purpose the `flange of each section of the plow share is provided with atleast two bolt holes 85, 86,l respectively, through one of which the co-operating stud 43 on the adjacent upright 39 is passed, depending on the adjustment of the plow share on the plow frame. By means of the hand nuts 45, the plow share is secured firmly to the plow frame. The two sections of the plow share 36 are pivotally connected together in any suitable manner so that they may be brought into alinement, or substantially so, or be disposed at an angle to each other. In preferred form, one of these sections slightly overlaps the other, andthe inner end of the rearwardly-extending flange 84 of one section extends overandin contact with the inner end ofthe rearwardly-extending flange of theother section, and a pivot bolt 81 is passed through the overlapped inner ends of these flanges. The supporting shelf of one section has its inner end overlying and in contact with the inner end of the supporting shelf of the other section (see Fig. 22), and at this overlying region each shelf is provided with a rearwardly-extendling lug 88, a pivot pin 89 being securedin any approved manner to the lower lug and extending freely through the upper lug, said pivot pinr projecting upwardly` a distance therefrom and being threaded for a purpose to appear hereinafter. l v

As shown in Figs. 7, 9, 21 and 22, the plow share` may be used in substantially a straightlined manner so that when secured to the plow frame and the latter is fastened to an automobile in the manner described, this plow share may be used as a one-way plow, as shown in Fig.l'1,.or as a pusher or scraper, as shown in Fig, 9. When used as a one-way plow, the plow share will, upon forward movementof the automobile to which it is attached, direct the snowv to one side of the automobile, but it willbe made clear hereinafter that this plow share, while in straight-lined conditionpmay bel applied to the ,Y plow frames@ thatfthe snow may be `directed to the opposite. side ofthe automobile. Moreover, as clearly shown in Figs. l to 3 and Figs. 4 and 5,y the two sections of the plow share may be disposed at an angle to each other `with a view of directing the snow simultaneously to opposite sides of the-path in which the automobile is traveling. By reason of the Ahinged connection between the two members of theplow share, the latter can beV easily folded and carried in the automobile. f

Each section of the plow share may be constructed as shown'in Figs. 23 and 24, in which the-sheet from which-the section is constructed terminates at the front end of. the forwardlycurved portion 18, and a separate blade 90 is welded to the underside of the lower marginal scraper 92 to be applied to the plow share. This -scraper is intended for scraping the surface of skating ponds, and in the Aform shown is a molded strip of rubber having a rebent flange V93l at its rear edge to form a receiving groove. and a Y rebent flange 95 at its forward end to form a wider receiving Vgroove 96. .A

Although this scraperstrip is molded to form, it is sufficiently yielding to enablethe rebent flange 93 to be fastened over the rear marginal portion of the separate blade 90 and permit the rebent flange 95 to be fastened over the edge of the plow share. Owing to the fact that the plow share has a double thicknessof metal kat this edge, the groove 96 of the scraper stripis made wider than the groove 94;.since the latter has to receive only the single thickness of the separate blade 80. This rubber scraper is therefore resiliently retained on the plow share,A and its under side is preferably ribbed or corrugated,

as shown at 91, to assure a smoother surface for the skating pond than would otherwise be possible.

In this construction, the supporting vshelf is designated by the numeral 80a, and it has an upstandingv web 98 conforming Ato the curvature of the plow share, to which it is welded or otherwise secured.

It is to be noted that theplow frame `is disposed transversely at a right angle to the line of ytravel of the automobile when used as a scraper or pusher, and it is then in a position in close proximity at all points to the plow frame, as shown in Fig. 9. When, however, the plow share is adjusted to direct snow both to the right and left, it'assumes a somewhat V-formation with its apex extending forwardly; and when so used, upper and lower distance bars 99, |00, respectively, may be interposed between the apex of the plow share thus adjusted and the plow frame, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. These distance bars, however, are not found necessary for light work. `When used,l the upper distance bar 99 has its front end fastened to the plow share by the pivot bolt 81 and the rear end to the plow frame by a bolt passed through an opening |02 formed at a point midlength of the upper cross member 40 of said plow frame. The lower distance bar |00 has its front end secured to the plow share by means of the pivot pin 89 used to pivotally connect the sections of the plow share together at their lower ends, and at its rear end said lower distance bar is fastened to the plow frame by means of a bolt |03 passed through a bolt hole |04 in the lower cross member 4| of said plow frame.

It may here be stated that when the plow share is adjusted to assume a straight-lined position at a right angle to the line of travel of the automobile, as shown in Fig. 9, the studs 43 projecting from the upper ends of the uprights 39 will be passed through the inner bolt holes 85 formed in the flange 84 at the upper ends of the two sections ofthe plow share, and when this plow share is adjusted so that the two sections thereof assume a V-formation, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the said studs are passed through the outer bolt holes 86 in said flanges. When, however, the plow share is adjusted for directing snow to the right, as viewed in Fig. 7, the two sections of the plow share will be in substantial alinement and the stud 43 at the righ*- hand end of the plow frame will be passed through the bolt hole 85 near the corresponding end of the flange 84, while a spacer frame |05 is employed to distantly connect the plow share with the opposite end of the plow frame. This spacer frame, best shown in Figs. 6 and '7, has upper and lower connector bars |06, |01 which are joined together by means of uprights |08, |09 and braced by a brace bar H0. These uprights and the brace bar are welded or otherwise fastened to the upper and lower connector bars |06 and |01, thus making a rigid unitary structure interposed between one end of the plow frame .and the corresponding end of the plow share. The said spacer frame is therefore only used at one end of the plow.

The rear end of the upper connector bar |06 is fastened to the plow frame by means of the stud 43 projecting therefrom at the same side of the automobile, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and the front end thereof is secured to the plow share by meansof a bolt passed through the bolt hole 86 Ain the corresponding end of the flange of the plow share. The lower connector bar |01 may havel a stud hole through its rear end through whichthe stud 48 alined therewith and extending up through the lower connectorbar of the plow frame may be passed, and at its front end it has a stud ||2 which passes through a -lug k| |3 extending from the supporting shelf 80 of Aone section in longitudinal alinement with .said stud 48. If desired, an intermediate brace bar V| I4 may. be employed centrallyv of the plow frame and substantially centrally of the plow share. When using the brace I4 it is secured to the lower cross member 4| of the plow frame,

asv indicated by dotted lines ||5, Fig. 7, and at its front end it is secured to the supporting shelf of one of the sections of the plow share by a bolt passed through a 4bolt hole H6, see Fig. 22. Since it may be found necessary at times to` direct the snow to the side opposite that shown in Fig. 7, the plow share will be reversed, in which case direct connection of the 'plow share with the plow frame will be made at the left in Fig. '1, instead of at the right as now shown, and the spacer frame |05 will be employed at the right of Fig. 7 instead of at the left. For this reason the shelf of the other section of the plow share is provided with a lug I|1 similar to the lug H3, and the same supporting shelf will have a bolt hole i8 at the opposite side of the pivot 89 for the intermediate brace bar H5.

Since it is the intention to construct the plow share of comparatively light material, I may, in some instances, reinforce it by meansfof angle iron reinforcing bars ||9 extending fromV the ilanges 84 of the plow 'share to the supporting shelves of the two sections thereof; but this is optional and is illustrated only in Fig. 22.

While I prefer to employ hinged reaches or anchor bars of the type described, these reaches or anchor bars may be formed of angle iron as shown in Fig. 26. In this gure I have shown the reach or bar constructed in two sections; the yfront section |20 being shown integral with the upright 39 which serves as part of the plow frame and retained in angular relation thereto by a brace 12|, while the rear section |22 has an upwardly-directed extension |23 integral therewith and provided with a hook |24 by means of which it may be connected with the retainer bracket 54 on the chassis, or any other retainer device suitable for the purpose. If desired, the front section may be separate from the upright 39 and be secured thereto in any suitable manner, and the upwardly-directed extension |23 may be separate from the rear section and secured thereto by welding or otherwise. In the form shown, the extension |23 is bracedlto the horizontal or substantially horizontal portion of the reach or anchor bar by a brace plate |25 welded to both of such parts. The front and rear sections are pivotally connectedby a pivot pin |26 passed through the upright flanges of said sections, and said sections are held in alinement by a bolt |21 passed through these flanges.

If desired, these reaches or anchor bars may be constructed of tubing', as shown in Fig. 2'1, in which case they may also be formed in two sections 'of different diameters, the smaller |28 of which is telescoped into the larger |29. 'The front end of one of said sections is welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe upright 39 of the plow frame, as at |30, and the rear end of the other sectionis welded or `otherwise secured at |3| to an adjustable angular extension or upright |32 constructed of two members of angle iron arranged to t Vone into the other, each having a series of holes |33 through which securing bolts |34 are passed. This adjustable extension or upright may be used on any type of reach or anchor bar whereit is found desirable, due to the variation in the height fromY the ground to the side members lof the chassis,- and these adjustable uprights may be secured to the side members of the chassisin Lany approved manner. The large section |29 of the anchor bar or reach has abolt |35 passed therethrough at its rear end which is to be selectively entered in one oa series of openings |36 formed in the small section |23. Thus the reach or anchor bar may be varied in length to meet any requirement.

On occasions, kand more particularly when a plow is designed for utility purposes, such as cleaning streets or where other similar heavy duty work is encountered, it may be found necessary to connect and brace the reaches or anchor bars and thus convert the reach device into a reach frame, as for Vinstance shown in Fig. 28, wherein the reaches or anchor bars are designated -by the numeral 31, the front ends of which are welded or otherwise secured to the uprights 39 of the plow frame, while the rear ends may be secured to uprights |38 provided with securing hooks |39 at their upper ends for connection with the chassis of the automobile. In this particular ligure the reaches or anchor bars |31 are constructed of angle iron, and near the front ends thereof upstanding lugs |40 are welded or otherwise fastened to the horizontal webs or flanges of the'reaches or bar s. Spaced some distance from these lugs are upstanding lugs 4| which are notched from their upper ends downwardly to receive bolts |42 which are threaded into the outer ends'of an adjustable cross bar |43. This cross bar is formed in two sections |44, ,|45, and the inner ends of rthese sections are connected by an adjusting screw |46 having right and left hand threads at opposite sides of its .center.` Centrally .of this adjusting screw is a'polygonal enlargement |41 by means of which the screw may be adjusted so that the two reaches or anchor bars |31 of this reach frame will be properly spaced apart and permanently held in such spaced relation as maybe required by the spacing ofthe side members of the automobile chassis to which this reach frame is to be secured. At their outer ends, each of the sections |44 and |45 has a forwardly-extending lug |48 and to these lugs the rear ends of diagonal braces |49 are pivotally secured. These braces have adjustable bolts |50 threaded into their front ends, and pivotally secured to the outer extremities of these bolts are cam levers which work against the concaved face of the curved upstanding lugs |49. These lugs are provided `with notches |52 "opening downwardly from their upper` edges through which the adjustable bolts |504 'are passed. These bolts are so adjusted in the diagonal braces |49 that a comparatively close t is provided of the cam portions ofthe cam levers with the upstanding portions of the lugs |40, and upon pulling inwardly on said levers, the throws of theY cams will be tightened against the concaved faces of said lugs and strain the diagonal braces |49 in a Vforward direction, thereby tightening the brace device thus constructed and rigidly connecting and maintaining the'reaches or anchor -bars in desired relation. This brace device can be quicklyremoved from the reaches or anchor bars and be as readily applied, and when detached from said reaches or bars can be folded for storage in the automobile, or elsewhere. It is apparent that this vbrace device may be otherwise constructed without departing from the principle underlying the construction described. V

While the bracing of the reaches or anchor bars just described assures a very rigid structure and `may not ordinarily be required for light work,dnevertheless such a reach structure may be adopted as standard and the omission ofthe braces and associated parts would in no manner create a departure from my invention as set out in the claims hereof;l The reaches or anchor bars, or the reach structure as it may be termed, could and in most instances is intendedto be a knock-down structure, regardless of whether or not the braces and their associated parts were employed, and in either case would be capable of reduction in size whether by folding or otherwise, so that the various parts of the reach structure and the plow frame could be placed in the trunk portion of an ordinary passenger car.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: y

l. The combination with an automobile, of a collapsible frame applied to the front of the automobile, a plow share removably supported by said frame, and rigid means bracing said plow share against rearward movement under operating strain and collapsible with said frame so that the frame and said bracing means may be stored in the automobile, and means to normally hold said frame in operativeposition relative to said bracing means, said bracing means and frame being pivotally connected together and said bracing means having connection with said chassis at points distant from said plow. I 2. The combination with an automobile chassis and a bumper secured to said chassis, of a plow comprising a plow frame detachably secured to said bumper, a plow share removably secured to said plowk frame, reaches pivotallyy connected at their front ends to the lower end ofV said plow frame and having connection at their rearl ends with side members of said chassis at points dis'- tant from said plow frame, and means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said reaches, said plow frame and reaches being collapsible to permit parts of one to be folded with the other and said reaches being foldable to permit said frame and reaches to be folded into compact space.

3. The combination with an automobile chassis and a bumper secured to said chassis, of a plow comprising a plow Aiframe adjustably supported'by said bumper to permit of adjusting the plow'vertically, retain-er brackets secured to side members of said chassis at points distant fromv their front ends, 'anchor bars pivotally rconnected atV their forward ends to the lower ends ofsaidl plow frame and detachably with saidA retainer brackets,V

means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said anchor bars, said anchor bars and parts of said plow frame being foldable one on the other, and a plow share detachably secured to said plow frame.

4. A plow, comprising a plow frame adapted for attachment to the front end of an automobile, anchorV bars pivotally connected at their front ends to the lower ends of said plow frame and comprising two pivotally connected sections to permit said sections to be foldedV one on the other and the plow frame to be folded on the folded sections, and a 4plow share removably applied to said plow frame; s l

5. In an attachable plow for vehicles, a plow frame formed of uprights andupperand lower cross members detachably connecting the upper and lower extremities of saiduprights to permit of knocking-down said plow frame, vmeans on said plow frame for attachment toa vehicle, anchor bars pivotally connected at their. front ends Vto thelower ends' of said uprightsand adapted forconnection at their rear ends tothe side memfbers ofthe vehicle. means tofnormall'y hold said uprights in operative position relative to said frame.

6. A plow for attachment to automobiles, comprising a plow frame adapted for attachment to van automobile, anchor bars pivotally connected at their front ends to the lower ends of said plow frame and adapted to have their rear ends connected to side members of the chassis of the automobile, brace props pivotally connected to said anchor bars and extending diagonally to said plow frame with their free ends engaging the latter, and a plow share detachably fastened to said plow frame.

'7. The combination of a collapsible plow frame adapted to extend transversely across the iront of an automobile and be detachably secured thereto, reaches reducible in length and foldable with parts of said plow frame and adapted for connection with the chassis of an automobile, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said reaches, and a plow share detachably and adjustably connected to said plow frame to permit of disposing said plow share at either of two opposite angles so as to direct snow either to the right or left of the path along which the plow is moved.

8. The combination with an automobile chassis and a bumper secured to said chassis, of a plow comprising a plow frame, retainer means adjustably secured to said plow frame and adapted for connection with said bumper, anchor bars pivotally connected at their front ends to the lower end of said plow frame to permit of folding the two together without disconnecting one from the other and having connection at their rear ends with the side members of said automobile chassis, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said anchor bars, said anchor bars being normally extended and rigidly connected and reducible in length for storage and a plow share secured to said plow frame.

9. The combination with an automobile having a bumper secured to its front end, of a plow cornprising a plow frame extending transversely in front of said bumper andV having means of connection therewith permitting said plow frame to be raised or lowered, a reach pivotally connected with said plow frame to permit of folding the two together while maintaining their connected relation, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said reach, and a plow share having interchangeable connection with said plow frame to permit said plow share to be used as a pusher or scraper, as a means of directing the snow to either side of the automobile, or as a means of directing the snow to both sides of the automobile.

10. The combination with an automobile, of a plow comprising a plow frame extending transversely in front of said automobile and having connection therewith, said plow frame including two uprights, connector bars detachably connecting the upper and lower ends of said uprights, collapsible anchor bars pivotally connected at their front ends to the lower ends of said uprights so as to be foldable without disassociating one from the other and having their rear ends attached to the automobile a distance from its front end, means to normally hold said uprights in operative position relative to said anchor bars, said anchor bars when collapsed being reduced in length and said uprights being foldable on the collapsed'anchor bars when said upper and lower cross members are detached therefrom, and a plow share detachably secured to said plow frame.

l1. The combinationwith an automobile, of a plow having a plow frame extending transversely in front of said automobile, and means for detachably securing said plow frame to said automobile including anchor Ibars extending rearwardly from the lower end of said plow frame and formed in sections, one section of each anchor bar having a U-shaped connector member secured thereto and the adjacent end of the other member lying therein and pivotally connected therewith to permit the folding of said anchor bar, and a plow share detachably connected to said plow frame.

l2. The combination with an automobile, of a plow comprising a plow frame extending transversely in front of said automobile and having connection with the front end of said automobile and means foldably attached to its lower end for connection with said automobile a distance from its front end, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position to said foldably-attached means, means of connection between opposite sides of said plow frame and the front end of said automobile at a central point to prevent lateral displacement of said plow frame with respect to the longitudinal center of the automobile, and a plow share secured to said plow frame.

13. The combination with an automobile chassis and a bumper secured to said chassis, of a plow comprising a plow frame extending transversely in front of said bumper, a chain connecting said plow frame at its lower end with said bumper including means to lengthen or shorten said chain, transversely-directed chains secured at their inner ends to said bumper and at their outer ends to the side portions of said plow frame, means to otherwise connect said plow frame with said automobile to resist rearward movement of said plow frame when the plow is in operation, and a plow share secured to said plow frame forward of the latter.

14. The combination with an automobile having a chassis provided with side frame members, of a collapsible plow frame secured to the forward end of said automobile, a reach device pivotally connected with said plow frame and extending rearwardly therefrom for connection with said side frame members, said reach device being reducible in length and foldable on said plow frame while maintaining its relation thereto, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said reach device, and a plow share detachably secured to said plow frame and formed in sections to permit of reducing the same in length.

l5. The combination with an automobile having a chassis provided with side frame members, of a plow frame detachably secured to the front end of said automobile, a reach device foldably and non-detachably connected with the lower end of said plow frame to permit the two to be folded together for storing in the automobile when not in use, said reach device extending rearwardly from said plow frame for detachable connection with said side frame members, means to normally hold said plow frame in operative position relative to said reach device, and a plow share detaehably secured to said plow frame.

16. A plow for attachment to an automobile, comprising a plow frame adapted for attachment to the automobile, anchor bars pivotally connected at their front ends to the lower ends of said 8 Iasasofia? 17. The combination with an automobile, of a 10 plow frame extending across the front of the 'automobil-e, a flexible element attached at one end to a high point of the automobile and at its other end to a low point of said plow frame, said flexible element being adjustable in length, transversely-disposed flexible elements connecting the front of the automobile at a central point with opposite ends of said plow frame, and a plow share detachably connected to said plow frame.

EDWARD L. WIEDMAN. 

